The Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has highlighted the Agency’s significant progress since his appointment.
Issa-Onilu gave the highlights during the Kwara Television News Beat programme, featuring the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and its activities.
He noted the transformation from the neglected state in which he found the Agency, citing key achievements such as the establishment of audio-visual studios, the launch of an optimised NOA website featuring the CLHEEAN-NOA Artificial Intelligence voice and chat assistant, and the recent approval of institutionalisation policies by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), all with the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The DG explained that previous administrations focused solely on infrastructure development while neglecting the critical role of value orientation, leading to the decline of social intervention structures like the Boys’ Scouts, Girls’ Brigade, WAI Brigade, and even the National Orientation Agency itself.
“However, the current administration has recognised this oversight, with President Tinubu extending his support to the Agency. This backing is reflected in the recent FEC approvals, all of which revolve around value orientation and the National Identity Project”, said the DG.
He further announced that press conferences will be held across all states to initiate the sensitisation campaign on the Agency’s new policies, adding ” As custodians of Nigeria’s national symbols, the NOA is tasked with preventing all forms of misuse”.
The DG emphasised that permission must be sought from the Agency before using the National Anthem to avoid misrepresentation.
He also clarified that the Nigerian flag is simply green, white, and green, with the correct shade of green being Emerald 2.0.
Speaking on the newly introduced Citizen Value Brigade (CVB), Mallam Issa-Onilu advised Nigerians not to allow their children to search for heroes elsewhere, especially during their formative years.
“The NOA has received approval to establish this social institution, which will instill Nigerian values in children, starting with 1,000 children per state and the FCT. This initiative aims to cultivate homegrown heroes for future generations to emulate”, said the DG.
He also stressed the importance of creating local cartoon content to counter the influx of foreign values being conveyed to young Nigerians.
The Director General reiterated that both leaders and citizens share equal responsibility for national progress.
He explained that within the Nigerian Promise there are principles of Equality and Meritocracy that the nation guarantees to its citizens, whether they are in positions of leadership or the general populace.
The DG warned that without active participation and adherence to the values, Nigeria cannot move forward.
